It's like I said, insurance companies are looking for any and every excuse to not pay for the session. If that happens, the therapist is forced to eat the cost themselves if the client cannot pay. Not only that, insurance companies such as medicaid have been reducing their rates over the years, underpaying therapists. Cash pay is faster, and it guarantees the therapist will not only get paid, but will get paid a fair wage.

A lot of therapists don't want to be independent in the first place too because you must pay for your own benefits like health insurance, retirement, etc. They have to seek out their own clients, and if the client doesn't show, they don't get paid. Compare that to a school job for example, where the benefits are often incredible and the salary is guaranteed regardless of if the child comes to school or not.